Demolition bomb



Wmh 25, W. C. Goss 2,417,980

DEMOLITION BOMB Filed OCZ. 19, 1942 3 SheeiS-Shee l /lYl/E/YO/e WORTH C. 6055 EN M/{g fr ATTORNEYS March 25, 1947. N. c. Goss 2,417,980

DEMOLITION BOMB Filed Oct. 19, 1942 5 Sheetsl-Sheet 2 mvv w INVENTOR WORTH 6. Gos;

ATTORNEY wilrh 25, 'lg'?. W, 3, @Q55 m@ DEMOLITION BOMB Filed Oct. 19, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 I' Nv NToR WORTH C). C5055 BY M11/ww ATTORNEYS Patented Mar. 25, 1947 VUNITED STATES PATENT FFICE DEMOLI'IION Bom Worth C. Goss, Seattle, Wash.

Application October 19, 1942, Serial No. 462,490

2 Claims. l

` 'I'his invention relates to improvements in de- "molition bombs, and in the methods of their manufacture, and the means for and methods of effecting the simultaneous detonation thereof.

This application is being filed as a continuation plants and other `military objectives by dropping the bombs from aircraft.

' It willhere be stated as explanatoryto the present invention that? the bombing of warships, fortications, and military objectives, as is carried on in present-day warfare by the dropping of bombs from airplanes, is quite-common. However, the extent of use of these bombs of larger sizes is limited by, or at least is dependent to a i material extent, uponthe distances to which they have to `be transported, `the speed of the air- Jplane carrying them, its cruising range and the "load thelplane is capable of transporting. In view of this, it is manifest that it is extremely i desirable to increase the effectiveness or destructiveness` ofibombs as much as possible without requiring the increase in their weight. In other words, it is desirable to increase the relative effectiveness of bombs as much as can be bei yond that now possible, along with any increase in size, or increase in weight of the bomb. Furthermore, any single bomb that can be made to *Lfully accomplish the destruction of an object atffe W4which it is aimed, is worth any number that `can only Vpartially accomplish that end.

l It will also be here mentioned in connection fwith the present invention, that to obtain the full effect of any charge of exposive material in a bomb; for example, such material as T. N..T.`, amatol,` or other exposives now used, `it is vextremelyimportant that detonation throughout the entire body or volume of the charge should be" instantaneous and complete. exploding ofone part of a charge of explosive i may act to scatter the remainder of .the charge Otherwise, `the` r l In view* of the' foregoing, it has been the-principal object of the present invention to provide Vmeans and methods whereby'to increase the effectiveness and destructiveness o-f demolition .bombs and especially bombs of the larger sizes, including the provision of means for causing the complete and simultaneous detonation of the bomb throughout its entire volume.

More specifically stated, it has'been an object of the present invention to obtain the complete and simultaneous detonation of a charge of explosive as used in a bomb of exceptionally large size by effecting the simultaneous detonation of Va plurality of booster charges of material, distributed at uniformly spaced intervals throughout the body of the main charge; each booster charge being adapted to be detonated by the exploding of a cap or fuse therein and all fuses of the bomb being connected in a circuit through which a powerful electric current of high voltage will be closed by the striking of the falling bomb, thereby to cause the instantaneous firing of all fuses and the resultant instantaneous detonating of all booster charges and the complete instantaneous detonation of the bomb.

Still further objects of the present invention are to be found in the structure of the fuses; in the manner of arranging the several fuses in the circuit, and in the means for supplying and for Vapplying the current to the circuit at the desired time and at the required voltage.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a bomb shell or casing constructed of parts of novel form and of novel arrangement whereby cost of manufacturing is lessened and assembly is expedited.

Still other objects of the invention reside in the methods of assembly of parts comprising the shell orV case of the bomb, its charge, and its detonating apparatus.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention, I have pro-vided the improved details of construction, the preferred forms of which are illustrated .in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Y Fig. 1 is a side View of a demolition bom-b embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional View of the bomb taken in its axial line.

Fig. 3 is an upper end view of the bomb showing the guiding ns.

Fig. 4 is a nose end View of the bomb, showing the cutting fins.

Fig. 5 is a; cross section taken on the line 54- in Fig.. 2.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged, cross sectional detail of the nose end of the bomb, illustrating diagrammatically the arrangement therein of the current supply and circuit closing devices for the detonation of the charge.

Fig. '7 is an enlarged sectional detail of one of the booster charges and the detonating fuse applied thereto.

Fig. 8 is a perspective View of one of the detonating fuses.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged, sectional detail illustrating joined portions of the shell, or case of the bomb.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged, cross section through the bomb on line IU--IU in Fig.2, showing the positioning of the booster charges at any selected horizontal level.

Referring more in detail to the drawings- First describing the construction of the present bomb, as seen in Fig. 1, in a general way, and bearing in mind that it concerns bombs of the larger sizes; thatis, bombs which may havel a diameter of three feet or greater and an overall length of from fifteen to twenty feet and weighing in the neighborhood of ve tons: The main body portion I of the shell or bomb case is of tubular and cylindrical form, uniform in diameter throughout its length, which is equal approximately to half the overall length of the bomb. At the lower end of the bomb is a pointed nose section 2, and at the upper end is the tail section 3.

The nose portion 2 is a heavy steel forging or casting, tapered to a rather elongated point. It is open at its upper end and is there equal in diameter to the diameter of the main body and is permanently joined thereto in a welded seam, as indicated at 4 in Figs. 2 and 6.

Welded onto the exterior of the nose portion 2, at equal intervals thereabout and extending lengthwise of the bomb axis, are four shear blades 5, tapered to and joined in a point somewhat beyond the point of the body portion o the nose 2, These blades are designed to pierce and then cut through an object to facilitate its destruction by the bomb.

Interiorly the nose section is hollow, and its side walls are gradually thickened toward the point. The lower portion is internally braced and strengthened by the formation of radial ribs or webs I, as shown in Figs. 2 and 5.

The upper or tail section 3 of the bomb case comprises a semi-spherical cap or closure portion 8 and the guiding fins IIe-9 that are mounted thereon. These iins are crossed at right angles, as noted in Fig. 3, and are of substantial length, flared toward their upper ends, and welded at their lower ends to the cap. The arrangement of ns is symmetrical with reference to the axial line of the bomb, and they serve to guide and maintain the equilibrium of the bomb as it falls, causing it to strike nose first.

To facilitate the assembly of the tail section with the bomb body, the body isl equipped with an internally extending collarl'i, as observed best in Fig. 9, that is threaded into the downwardly opening end of the cap.. As shown in Fig. 9, the band or collar i2 is tted within the upper end of the body cylinder and is secured by a welded seam I3. Part of the band extends beyond the upper end of the cylindrical bodyand is externally threaded. This is threaded into an internally threaded band I4 that is Welded, as at I5, onto the periphery of the cap as an extension thereof. The threading of the parts I2 `and I4 .4 is accomplished prior to their application to the body cylinder and cap, and the Welding is done before the shell receives the charge of explosive. When the parts are assembled, the cap and body engage solidly together in a ilush joint.

The present invention contemplates lling the entire shell with a very powerful explosive, except for a small space in the nose section, left for containing the current supply means and ring mechanism. The explosive material is designated herein by reference numeral IB and by reason of its character and the possibility of that which is contained in the lower portion of the case being crushed by the weight of that supported above it, it is preferred that supporting shelves I9 as required be located in the shell at suitable intervals. These shelves rest at their peripheral edges on anges 2B fixed to the interior of the shell body, and in the shelves, openings 2I as required would be provided for the passage of circuit wires as will later be described. The explosive I8 is most generally in the form of pressed bricks and these are stacked in place and the open intervals iilled later with material tamped in.

In view of the large quantity of explosive used and the length and diameter of the shell case, it is essential in obtaining simultaneous detonation, to distribute booster charges of suitable explosive such as T. N. T. throughout the main charge and to arrange for the simultaneous detonation of these booster charges which effect the simultaneous detonation of the main charge. In Figs. 2 and 10, I have illustrated the present preferred disposition of the booster charges, which are of block form and designated by reference numeral 22.

In the assembling ofthe bomb, the mechanism for supplying current and setting off the bomb. is rst placed in position in the nose section `2 and covered by a plate 25 as indicated in Fig. 2. Then the explosive I8 is lled in and at the proper and selected places, the booster charges 22 are placed in position somewhat within the shell. Immediately above each horizontal group of booster charges, I place a shelf I9, then more explosive is placed in position, building up in this manner until the shell is filled. Finally the tail section 3 is threaded into place.

To provide for the simultaneous detonation of all the booster charges, I employ the mechanism which has been shown to best advantage in Figs. 6, 7 and 8. Each booster charge 22 is there shown as being equipped internally with a firing cap 3U. All caps are electrically red, by means presently described in detail, upon the closing of an velectric circuit therethrough, and the closing of this circuit is under control of a firing rod 35 that is contained slidably in an axial bore 3B opening through the point of the nose as seen best in Fig. 6.

At its outer end, the rod 35 has a head or cap 38, normally located somewhat beyond the nose point. At its inner end the rod has a piston portion 39 reciprocally iitted in an air cylinder 4D. The cylinder has a channel 40' (see Fig. 6) leading therefrom into a diaphragm chamber 4I covered by a flexible diaphragm 42. When the rod 35 is driven inwardly by impactof its head portion against an object, air is driven from the cylinder into the chamber 4I, the diaphragm 42 is moved outwardly, thereby to act against an arm 43 of a bell crank lever 44, to rock the lever and cause the other arm 43 thereof to close an elctric circuit. Normally the rod 35 is held extended by any suitable yieldable means, such as a coiled spring 45 located in the air` cylinder as noted in Fig. 6.

Referring now to Figs. 2 and 6, it will be understood that each of the booster charges 22 has a detonating fuse or cap 30 set therein. EX- tending from each cap are circuit connections 5I and 52. All caps of all booster charges in the bomb are connected in series circuit with a condenser 60; the connection being as diagrammatically shown in Fig. 2, through circuit wires 6I and 52 leading respectively to one terminal B3 of the condenser and to the bell crank 44, which is of an electrically conductive material. When the bell crank is rocked by the expansion of the diaphragm 42, it causes the arm 43 to engage the other terminal 64 of the condenser, thereby to close the circuit through all fuses.

To charge the condenser, I have located a battery in the nose of the shell case. This has one circuit connection 'H with the condenser terminal 64, and another connection l2 leading to a switch l5 from which a wire 'I6 leads to the terminal 53 of the condenser. Upon closing the switch T5, the battery starts to dissipate its charge to the condenser, and it is anticipated that this switch shall be closed about ve to ten minutes before the bomb is to be dropped.

The switch may be of any kind suitable to be mounted in the shell case, where it can be manually closed, such as by turning in a plug or screw.

To facilitate the assembly of the booster charges and the circuit wiring therefor, it is desirable lthat the shell body -be provided at locations opposite each booster charge with a threaded opening 80 tted with a plug 8|. Prior to applying the explosive charge and plugs, circuit wires, as at 82 which connect the fuses in series circuit, are located inside the shell case with ends extended out through the openings 80. After the charge has been placed, and the shell case closed, then the ends of the circuit wires extended from any opening are attached to the terminal connections 5I and 52 ofthe corresponding fuse, and the fuse is then inserted through the opening 80 and seated in the hole provided for it in the block of booster charges. Then the plugs 8| are applied to the openings in the case.

As shown in Fig. 7, the fuses nnally are inserted in holes provided therefor in the blocks 22 which comprise the booster charges. The preferred type of detonating fuse is illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8 wherein 85 designates a cylindrical copper casing having a iiller 35 comprising a quantity of tetryl, held by a plug of fulminate 81. A special heater wire 98 extends between the inner ends of the fuse circuit terminals 5l and 52, and wrapped about this and embedded in the fulminate 8'.' is a micro-sheet of explosive 90. The circuit wires 5i and 52 are heldin place by a plug of sulphur filler, 9|, overlying a Bakelite plug 92 fitted in the casing 85.

With this arrangement of parts, it is quite apparent that, assuming the switch T5 to have been closed for a period of time suicient for the condenser to absorb the charge from the battery l0, it is understood that instantly upon closing of the circuit by the action of the bell crank 44 as moved by the rod 35, the full force of the powerful voltage of the condenser charge will be applied to the circuit, passing through all the fuses 83 and literally blows them to pieces with the instantaneous detonation of all booster charges and thus causing complete and simultaneous detonation of the entire charge.

The particular advantage to be gained by this arrangement of booster charges and their detonating fuses resides in the fact that at a plu` rality of locations, the main charge can be simultaneously detonated, thereby decreasing the eX- tent to which the detonating wave must travel to the distance between booster charges, and this distance can be made only a very small fractional part of the distance from end to end of the bomb.

I claim:

1. A demolition bomb comprising a hollow metaliic casing capable of withstanding considerable internal pressure, a detonatable material substantially filling the casing, a plurality of detonating units embedded in said material at uniform intervals of spacing throughout the length of the casing; each of said units including a block of highly explosive material, a detonating cap in the block, and a heater wire for the cap adapted to be exploded by electrical impulse, a storage battery in the casing, a condenser having an electrical connection with said battery to receive its charge, a normally open switch in the connection, an electric circuit joining the heater wires of all units in a normally open series circuit, and a Switch in the circuit adapted to be closed by impact of the bomb with an object.

2. A demolition bomb as recited in claim 1 wherein said normally open switch in the connection between the storage battery and the condenser is disposed in the casing and adapted to be closed from the outside thereof to permit the dissipation of the battery charge to the condenser.

WORTH C. GOSS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the iile of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,363,578 Edwards Dec. 28, 1920 2,293,817 Gruver Aug. 25, 1942 51,671 Shaffner Dec. 19, 1865 803,131 Du Pont Oct. 21, 1905 1,794,421 Ruhlemann Mar. 3, 1931 1,276,547 Kupec et al Aug. 20, 1918 1,243,641 Sutterfield Oct. 16, 1917 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 348,792 Italian June 1, 1937 505,401 France May 5, 1920 

